ENTERTAINMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19664, 26 August 1935, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

CURRENT PROGRAMMES. STATE THEATRE. The “Charlie Chan” films are always Interesting and entertaining, and audiences everywhere have hailed “ Charlie Chan in Egypt ” as the most thrilling and ingenious of the series. Again starring Warner Oland, the story is"of Charlie Chan’s eeriest adventure in the land of the Pharaohs. Priceless -gold and jewelled treasures from the tomb -of Ameti, an ancient high -priest, are stolen from among those brought to light by the French Historical Society’s expedition, near Luxor on the Nile, the great river and land over which -Cleopatra once ruled. Charlie Chan is hired by the society to trace the thefts and to apprehend the thieves. Three murders occur and everybody wonders whether it was Sek-met, the -cat-headed Egyptian goddess of vengeance who struck down those disturbing the monarchs in their final slumber. 'Death casts its shadow -over the entire family of the expedition’s leader and Charlie Chan’s skill -and courage are tested to their limit, but he finally solves tire -crimes in one -of the most thrilling sequences ever filmed. “Pat” Paterson, -as the daughter of the expedition’s leader, gives 'splendid support to Warner Oland, and Stephen -Fetchit, as a native of -the desert sands who becomes Charlie Chan’s strange and frightened aide, -creates many comic situations. The rest of the characters -are also well taken.

THEATRE ROYAL. There have been many war films. The only approach that most of them made to reality consisted of smoke and noise. But the accuracy of “ Forgotten Men ’’ is indisputable. Its pictures were taken during the war, on real battlefields. They -are selected from the official cinematographic records of all the combatants. The men shot down in it do not execute delicate stage falls, as do the “ extras ” in an artificial xvar film. They writhe on the ground. Here men do not talk about dirt; wo see them picking the lice out of their -shirts. From the greatest t,o -the smallest horror, nothing is left to the imagination, except the -multiplication a million times of each incident. The -picture is a -c'omplete record of the world war from its beginning to the -signing of the Armistice, showing the w r ar from the viewpoints of all participating nations. “ Forgotten Men ” points not only to the brutality, horror and stupidity of war, but also shows that those xvho declare war profit while innocent men, xvomen -and children -must bear the brunt. “Forgotten Men” is nerve-wracking and harrowing in parts, but those -scenes are further proof of the utter futility of war.

CIVIC THEATRE. As is again proved by the “Great Hotel Murder,” the thriller can always be depended on to provide splendid entertainment. Edmund Lowe and Victor McLaglcn are the principals in what is one -of the most exciting films of the year. One in the character of a famous writer of mystery stories and the other as a hotel •detective, they try their hand at solving a sinister murder which occurs in ade luxe hotel. The key to the mystery is -held in the hands of a young beauty. Suspicion falls first on one and then on another of those connected xvith the event-s, and the story captures and holds the interest until finally the pair of detectives follow the murdered man’s wife to a house in a lonely locality and solve the mystery in a highly dramatic and unexpected manner, bringing the film to a sensational climax. There is much humour in “Great Hotel Murder" to relieve the tension. It is definitely one of the most thrilling pictures in a long time, combining fine comedy with tense emotion, that holds the audience until the final curtain.

REGENT THEATRE. Jeanette MacDonald, radiant, lovely, and singing delightfully, has the chief role in “Naughty Marietta.” Based on the widely-known 'Operetta toy Victor Herbert, the picture derives distinction from its attractive singing and its talented cast.. The story is told in a series of spirited episodes. As Marietta, Jeanette MacDonald appears in the part of a charming French princess at the court of Louis XIAL Betrothed to a foreigner, she runs away to escape a diplomatic marriage and joins a party of young women who are being sent to a French colony in America lo become the wives of the settlers. The romance has a dramatic ending. Aliss MaDonald handles tho heroine’s role with characteristic efficiency. Stic sings, as always, with warmth and beauty. Nelson Eddy’s performance more than justifies the praise it has received from critics. Besides possessing an attractive toaritono voice and a pleasing personality, Mr Eddy acts well.

ROXY THEATRE. ' l A tender romance is offered in ‘ Have a Heart." As Sally, the crippled doll maker, who finds love in spite of tier handicap. Jean Parker plays a complete range of feeling, from depths of pathos lo sparkling comedy. James Dunn, in the male lead, as Jimmie Flaherty, vendor of “Have a Heart" ice cream, is warmly sympathetic and makes and Ideal romantic partner. In “Behold My AVifc" Sylvia Sidney plays the role of a beautiful Indian girl. Stic marries a white man and accompanies him lo his home in New York, where lie hopes to disgrace his family by presenting his wife in society. AA’liat happens when she learns his true reason for marrying her makes a dramatic story.